The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.54 You Save: $2.45 (61%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.50 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Importance of Being Earnest
Book Review: a really good novel
Summary: 5 Stars
this is a novel always on fashion. hte dialogs are simply brilliant. oscar wilde picture a great variety of original personalitiesBook Review: The Importance of Laughter
Summary: 4 Stars
"Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I didn't know anything about this play going in to it. After reading the first few pages it became evident pretty quickly that this was a comedy, and a pretty good one at that. There is a lot of witty banter and snide remarks throughout that make you laugh out loud. I imagine this is even funnier on the stage with the actors' body language, etc.
The play demonstrates how a couple of lies can culminate into a huge quandary. You can see the train wreck coming and the anticipation builds until the train finally comes off it's tracks at the satisfying collision ... I mean culmination.
The version of the book I read is full of footnotes that includes changes that have occured in the play over the years and other pertinent information to the play. There is one footnote that I found particularly interesting; it says, Franklin Dyall, who played Merriman (in the play) recalled the effect of one of his lines on the first night, "This [announcement] was received with the loudest and most sustained laugh that I have ever experienced, culminating in a round of applause; and as I came off Wilde said to me: 'I'm so glad you got that laugh. It shows they have followed the plot.'" Imagine watching your play being acted out for the first time. It must be nerve-wracking to sit there hoping that people will like it and appreciate it. It must also be extremely satisfying to see and hear the positive reactions.
My wife noticed what I was reading and told me she had seen the movie and that it starred Rupert Everett as Algernon. I can't think of a more apt actor for that role. I will have to check it out.
Book Review: Stupidity has never been so witty and intelligent!
Summary: 4 Stars
My first exposure to Oscar Wilde was as a young girl reading his horrendously depressing fairy tales. And while I fell in love with him because of those, it was nice to get to high school and have my literature teacher throw something wilde and FUNNY in front of me. I think this was during a term where we were reading rather sad things, so this was an awesome break and a reminder that, guess what, classic literature can sometimes be entertaining.
I have never seen play nor movie of this, though I would like to, for this script is something that demands to be put into action. Satire usually has, since the Greeks. It's funny, witty, and smart, despite that the characters are among the dumbest, silliest people you will hopefully never have the opportunity to meet.
"The Importance of Being Ernest" is quick, biting, and a great, entertaining read.